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Chapter Twenty-Four: The Best Intentions.

"I have no idea what to do Herit," Amara revealed glad to have her most loyal lady back at her side, her talk with Ka had left her uneasy and even more unsure of what path she should take now that Ellaria had left. It was true that she had enjoyed Ka's attention and she had liked how he had treated her when she had been spurned by Oberyn; however, she could not imagine taking such a relationship further.

"I truly did not think I would end up in such a position as this," Amara admitted shaking her head, she was relieved that none of her other ladies were around right now and so that she might talk to Herit without fear of her words being repeated. It had been hard without her and Amara was relieved to have her back, her short trip to Fairmarsh had been to make sure that Elia was settled in well.

"You like him?" Herit asked though it was clear that she wasn't asking a question, she stared up at Amara; her dark eyes searching her face knowing that she had been right about this ending badly. It was not something that should have ever happened and Amara would have to deal with the consequences, Herit knew that if an affair would have started then it would have been when Ellaria was still in the picture.

"More than I thought I would," Amara mumbled looking out across the gardens from her balcony, she could see Oberyn's younger daughters playing in the fountain from where she was seated. A smile forming on her face, she cared for them and her decision would not just affect her and Oberyn but the girls as well; she did not know how the younger ones would react if he were to take Ka as her lover.

"I confess at first that I enjoyed his attention more than anything, the fact he made Oberyn jealous most certainly helped but now…" Amara whispered with a frown, she did not know how to describe how she felt about Ka nor did she have the words to do so. It was a mess and Amara knew that while Dorne was the most progressive of the Kingdoms, she could not help but fear how her actions might be judged by others.

There was silence at her admittance and for the first time since she arrived, Amara doubted her course of action; she did not know what she should do next, she had won the people and could finally make her husband her own yet at what cost. Even with Ellaria now gone from court, Amara was not sure how to proceed with Oberyn and that was without even considering the dilemma that she had found herself in with Ka; she could not remain undecided on her future for long.

"I admit that I have not been fond of the guard, I find his timing strange," Herit admitted, she did not wish to speak out of turn but she worried not only for what Ka's attentions might mean but what they could mean for Amara. They had worked hard to establish her here at court and even with Ellaria banished it did not mean that she was completely safe yet.

It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, but Amara can lose it in a minute especially if she wasn't careful and made a misstep with Ka; even speaking with servants Herit could not find out much about the man. He was a bastard from what she had learned but there was no name of who his family were or that he was even a recognised one like any of the Sandsnakes.

"I worry for you Amara. Not just what this might do to your reputation, I do not want to see you hurt. You deserve to be happy and if you think that you would be so with Ka, then I would not stand in your way," Herit murmured reaching out to take her hand. She gave it a reassuring squeeze and smiled at Amara weakly. She might not approve of Ka but she would not stop Amara from being happy, she would help where she could but even, she did not think she could help in the event that this turned into a blood bath.

Oberyn might not entirely be pleased with the idea of his wife taking a paramour for herself but he would not stop her; no, it was the Sandsnakes that worried Herit. Oberyn's eldest daughters had inserted themselves into Amara's household and had done their best to ensure that Ka could not spend much time with Amara unless she snuck away.

They would happily deal with Ka should the need come down to it and Herit could not imagine that they would leave him alive; he would met some sort of accident that she was sure.

Walking through the corridors, Ka couldn't help but feel pleased with how things had been working out and he knew that his actions towards Amara were starting to catch people's attention when at first, he had tried to be discreet. Now he saw that there was no need for that, if he wanted his suit to be taken seriously by Amara then he did not see the need to creep around any longer like they were doing wrong.

There was no way that he would cower in fear, he was better than that and he knew that remaining a secret was not an option especially considering his confrontation with Obara. If he wanted to stay alive then people needed to know about his intentions to court Amara, it would be safer for him and he wouldn't have to worry about them poisoning him to get him out of the way.

A hand snapped out of the shadows and grabbed onto Ka pulling him out of sight of anyone that might be snooping around; the last thing that the man needed was for people to see them talking. Shoving himself away from the man, Ka prepared to launch an attack his hands moving for his blade only to come to a complete stop when he saw who it was.

"Uncle," Ka greeted with a frown, he had not expected to see the man so soon especially given what had happened; he struggled off the man's hold and stepped back from him not entirely sure what to expect from him. Things had been rather strained as of late and Ka knew that his uncle would not have made the journey here if it was not important; he rested a hand on his blade knowing that he could never be too careful.

"How are you finding your charge?" his uncle asked moving away from Ka, he disliked having to deal with his brother's child and it was only through need that he did so now. When Amara had arrived at court and Ka had been selected to serve her, it had come to his attention that no one knew who the boy belonged to and he could use this to his advantage.

"At first I admit that I was not fond of the duty that you asked of me but now I find myself enjoying it more than I probably should. The Princess is not quite what I imagined when you set me upon such a task," Ka admitted quietly, he looked away from his uncle knowing that should Amara learn what he had done then she would never forgive him and he prayed that she would never find out. Amara was simply amazing, she was not what he had expected and he could see the good that she was trying to do for the people; he could imagine that she would have been happier if her brother had never arranged for her to marry Oberyn.

"I did not ask you to see if she was marriage material. I asked for you to distract her from her husband," Ka's uncle scolded him, he could not believe what a fool the boy was and yet it was not his fault considering his fool of a brother had allowed him to be raised by his mother. A fact that had certainly helped him plan this but had left them with several issues including the fact that Ka did not live up to the House that he had been born into.

"My daughter has fallen from grace and one of her daughters has been banished. You are our last hope in destroying Amara… if things are to return to how they were before she married the Prince," Ka's uncle insisted, he knew that his daughter's plan was risky and her hold on Oberyn had been slipping so he'd come up with a plan to ensure that Amara would lose her position one way or another.

It was perfect really, no one knew that Ka was truly the bastard son of Ser Ulwyck Uller and he'd played the part perfectly tricky the spurned woman into thinking that he cared for her. Ellaria had been the one to send the message via Ka on Amara's wedding night, she had relied on her dear cousin to spy on Amara and gain her trust to push her own agenda with Oberyn.

It had all been working perfectly until Elia had screwed up and tried to poison her, it had been the downfall that had made Lord Harmen Uller rethink his plan and now he was back at court to ensure the issue was dealt with. Ka did not say a word, he knew what was expected of him by his family; they'd sworn to make sure he would become a recognised bastard like his cousin Ellaria so that he could inherit.

He would be able to provide Amara with a good life should this happen, he might destroy her standing at court but surely it would be worth it if she had him. All he needed to do was do as his uncle said and make sure that Ellaria's daughters didn't get in his way more than they already had.

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